Flexibility: A Spiritual
Reinforcement
“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the
earth.”
Colossians 3:2
Flexibility
“You know his proven character…” Philippians 2:22
Flexibility is the character trait for the month of November. Listed below are suggestions that could be
used as a springboard to partner with NRCA teachers in instructing and explaining this principle to your
children.
Definition – Willing to bend with a sweet spirit to the needs or wishes of others; the ability to change or
be changed according to circumstances; adaptability; compliance
Antonym – resistance; opposition to somebody or something; stubborn
Key Verse – “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:2
Related Hymns. Sing these Songs with Your Children! Focus on Songs about Flexibility.
• Have Thine Own Way, Lord! (Adelaide A. Pollard, 1862-1934)
• Where He Leads Me (E.W. Blandy, 19th Century)
• Take the World, but Give Me Jesus (Fanny J. Crosby, 1820-1915)
• I Surrender All
Bible Verses Related to Flexibility - Spend several evenings looking at just one of these verses at a time.
Don’t forget to ask your children the questions: Who? What? When? Where? Why? And How? Discuss
with your family what each verse teaches about the character quality of Flexibility, and give vital
application of how this quality can be applied to your family. Choose several verses to memorize together
as a family. (The synonym Change has been substituted for the word Flexibility.)
• change his countenance…Job 14: 20
• Because they do not change…Psalm 55:19
• with those given to change…Proverbs 24:21
• change times and law…Daniel 7:25
• change their glory into…Hosea 4:7
• now and to change my tone…Galatians 4:20
• there is also a change…Hebrews 7:12
Bible Stories as a part of your family devotions. All of these stories emphasize Flexibility.
• The story of Abraham who left his home and family in obedience to God's call (Genesis 12).
• The story of Martha who failed the test of flexibility (Luke 10:38-42).
• The story of when two dreams required instant flexibility and thereby saved the life of a king
(Matthew 2:12-13).
Character Definitions of Flexibility
• Learning the wishes of the one I am serving and adapting my priorities to meet them.
• Learning how to cheerfully change plans when unexpected conditions require it.
• Avoiding obligations that would hinder us from taking the best course of action.
• Not becoming attached to ideas or plans which could be changed by my authorities.
• Flexibility is not setting my affections on plans or places that could be changed by those whom I
am serving
Learn and Apply the "I Wills" of Flexibility
• I will not get upset when plans change.
• I will look for the good in changes.
• I will respect the decisions of my authorities.
• I will not be stubborn.
• I will not compromise what is right.
How to Demonstrate Flexibility
at Home
• Being willing to change ideas or plans based on the cautions of one another.
• Being open to one another's suggestions on how to improve home life.
• Welcoming family emergencies as opportunities to build character.
• Giving up activities that conflict with family priorities - without griping.
at School
• Being willing to help a struggling student to understand a concept.
• Listening to the advice of others who may be able to share a more effective way to accomplish
your task.
at Church
• Being open to changes in the order of service (Rather than - "But this is the way we've always
done it...").
• Ministering to other families in a time of crisis.
• Being willing to change plans or activities in deference to others who might be offended.
Personal Evaluation - How flexible are you?
• When plans are changed, do you get discouraged, or do you immediately look for reasons why the
new plans are better?
• Do you quickly adjust to a change of direction, or does it require time for you to mentally or
emotionally adjust?
• When you learn that you must move, does it cause anxiety in you, or do you rejoice in it as a
further reminder that you are a stranger and a pilgrim in this world?
• Do your parents or employers have to explain instructions twice, or do you understand what they
mean the first time?
• When God calls you to a ministry or work, do you resist and make yourself busy with other
activities?
• When others suggest a better way to do something, do you try it or do you keep doing it the way
you had been doing it?
• Do you misuse flexibility by having no daily plans or life goals?
• Is your life so encumbered with possessions and debt that it would be impractical or impossible to
exercise flexibility at the leading of the Lord?
• Are the thoughts of your heart in harmony with the will of God so that changes are easy
transitions?
Teaching Flexibility
Bend or Break
Most tree trunks grow wider as they grow older. Each year they develop new growth rings, providing
strength and rigidity to a tree. Palm trees, however, are an exception. They grow upward, adding a new
growth disk each year. When storms come, the palm tree stands through great gusts of wind because of its
ability to bend. Some older and taller palms actually bend all the way to the ground. This flexibility is
anchored by roots that are thick and deep. With this combination of strong roots and a flexible trunk, the
palm tree is able to withstand tremendous winds without being broken or uprooted. People should respond
to the “winds of change” like the palm tree. They must bend to their authorities’ requests so that they
don’t break, but stand firmly anchored on right standards so that they don’t become uprooted.
Activity
Flexibili-Tree
The following craft requires a bit of preparation, but makes a fun reminder to display in your home. Cut a
hole in the bottom of a five-gallon bucket and cover the bucket with brown paper. Stick a foam “noodle”
(used in swimming pools) through the hole so it fits securely. Cut strips of brown cardstock
approximately 2" wide and 11" long. Give each child a strip and have them write down a desire, plan, or
expectation they have at home or school. Tape the ends of the strips together forming paper rings. Slide
all the rings down the tree trunk and adjust the “noodle” so that only about an inch is visible above the
highest ring. Use a piece of green poster board to form the palm leaves. Cut a hole in the center to fit the
poster board snugly around the noodle’s top. Draw and cut out leaves with ridges along the edges. Slide
the poster board onto the trunk, and your “Flexibili-Tree” is complete!
There is something going on around us at all times from which we can acquire knowledge if we have
flexibility. Make each day a treasure hunt for flexibility which deepens our gratefulness. Be intentional
about thanking God and others for the blessings that come our way. In his letters, the apostle Paul helped
his readers to develop a theology of gratefulness. He wrote about thanksgiving more often than any other
New Testament author. From the 23 times he used the word, we learn a few lessons about thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving was always directed toward God and never toward people. People were gifts from God, and
Paul thanked God for their growth, love, and faith (1 Cor. 1:4; 1 Thess. 1:2). Thanksgiving is given
through Jesus for everything (Col. 3:15,17). Paul believed followers of Jesus could be thankful for
everything because God is sovereign, and He is working things out for the believers’ good (1 Thess.
5:18). May we intentionally be aware of God’s gifts all around us, and respond with gratitude. In response
to God’s gifts, it’s natural to say, “Thank You, Lord.”
Lord, for days that are sunny or gray we simply
want to say, Thank You! And for the daily grace
You give us in Your Son, may we always be faithful
to say, Thank You! You are so good to us.
Gratitude is a natural response to God’s grace.
-Our Daily Bread – By Marvin Williams October 22, 2012